Getting through the day feeling rested should not be a struggle. For people with sleep apnea, repeated interruptions in breathing during the night prevent the deep, restorative sleep the body needs, and the effects extend well beyond morning fatigue. Waking up with headaches, struggling to concentrate at work, or relying on your partner to tell you that your breathing stopped in the night are signs that something more than ordinary tiredness may be happening. If any of those experiences sound familiar, it is worth speaking with a dental team that understands how sleep apnea is identified and what options exist to address it.

At Longwood Dental Group, sleep apnea screening and oral appliance therapy are part of the comprehensive specialty dentistry care our team provides. Dr. Sandy Perez leads our sleep apnea services, working closely with sleep medicine physicians to ensure each patient receives an accurate diagnosis and a treatment path that fits their health history and lifestyle. Our practice has been serving patients in Brookline and the greater Boston area for over 40 years, and that same commitment to thorough, one-on-one care extends to every aspect of your sleep health evaluation.

What Is Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and restarts during the night. Each pause, called an apnea, can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur dozens or even hundreds of times while the person is asleep, often without them ever waking up fully. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, untreated sleep apnea is associated with elevated risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and metabolic conditions like diabetes. The two most common forms are obstructive sleep apnea, in which relaxed throat muscles allow soft tissue to block the airway, and central sleep apnea, in which the brain does not send the correct signals to the muscles that control breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is by far the more prevalent of the two, and it is the form most commonly addressed through dental sleep medicine.

Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is often underdiagnosed because its most telling signs appear during sleep, when the person experiencing them is unaware. A bed partner may be the first to notice something is wrong. If you recognize several of the following in yourself or someone close to you, it is worth raising them at your next dental or medical visit.

Loud, persistent snoring that may be interrupted by choking or gasping sounds
Waking with headaches, a dry mouth, or a sore throat on a regular basis
Daytime fatigue, excessive drowsiness, or difficulty staying alert even after a full night of sleep
Memory difficulties, mood changes, or irritability tied to consistently poor rest
Elevated blood pressure or other cardiovascular concerns your physician has noted

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone with sleep apnea snores loudly. A confirmed diagnosis requires a formal sleep study administered by a sleep medicine physician. What our team can do is screen for signs during your routine dental visits and connect you with the right specialist when those signs point to a concern worth investigating.

How Our Team Screens and Treats Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea screening begins during your routine dental checkups. As part of your standard exam, our team evaluates indicators that may suggest a sleep-disordered breathing pattern. If those indicators are present, we schedule a dedicated consultation with Dr. Sandy Perez. During that visit, Dr. Perez reviews your medical history in detail, examines your oral anatomy, and checks for any nasal or airway factors that could be contributing to your symptoms. If a sleep study is appropriate, he refers you to a sleep medicine physician who can administer the study and deliver a formal diagnosis. Once we have those results, Dr. Perez determines the best treatment path forward for your specific case.

This coordinated approach, working alongside physicians rather than treating sleep apnea in isolation, reflects the whole-health perspective our practice has always taken. You can learn more about Dr. Perez and his background by visiting his profile on our website.

Oral Appliance Therapy as a CPAP Alternative

For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for those who have tried CPAP therapy and found it difficult to tolerate consistently, oral appliance therapy can be a more comfortable and practical option. An oral appliance is a custom-fitted device worn during sleep that gently repositions the jaw slightly forward, keeping the airway open and reducing the frequency and severity of breathing interruptions. The device resembles a night guard or orthodontic retainer and is designed to fit precisely to the contours of your teeth. Because oral appliances are compact, portable, and require no mask or tubing, patients who travel frequently or who struggle with CPAP compliance often find them significantly easier to use every night.

If Dr. Perez determines an oral appliance is the right course of treatment, he will custom design the device specifically for your anatomy. Similar to the custom night guards and TMJ appliances we fabricate in our on-site laboratory, the fit is precise, the materials are durable, and the design accounts for your individual bite and jaw position. Compliance matters above everything else when it comes to sleep apnea treatment, and a device that fits comfortably is one you will actually wear.

What to Expect During Your Sleep Apnea Consultation

From your first conversation with our team to the delivery of your oral appliance, the process moves step by step with clear guidance at every stage.

Routine Screening

Our team screens for sleep apnea indicators during your regular dental exam.

Consultation

Dr. Perez reviews your history, examines your mouth, and evaluates your airway anatomy.

Sleep Study

If needed, we refer you to a sleep physician for a full sleep study and formal diagnosis.

Treatment

Dr. Perez recommends the right treatment based on your results, which may include a custom oral appliance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea Treatment in Brookline

Here are the questions we hear most often from patients exploring sleep apnea care at our practice.

Can a dentist treat sleep apnea?

Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine play an important role in the management of obstructive sleep apnea. While a medical doctor or sleep physician must provide the formal diagnosis, a dentist can screen for warning signs, refer patients to the appropriate specialist, and deliver oral appliance therapy once a diagnosis is established. At Longwood Dental Group, Dr. Sandy Perez coordinates directly with sleep physicians to ensure care is properly sequenced and medically sound.

What is an oral appliance and how does it work?

An oral appliance is a custom-fitted device worn in the mouth during sleep. It works by gently moving the lower jaw slightly forward, which helps keep the throat and airway open and reduces the soft tissue collapse that causes obstructive sleep apnea. The device is compact and fits much like a night guard or retainer. Dr. Perez custom designs each appliance to the patient’s specific anatomy for maximum comfort and effectiveness.

Is oral appliance therapy as effective as CPAP?

For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy can be highly effective. CPAP therapy may perform better in cases of severe OSA, but compliance is a significant factor in any treatment’s real-world effectiveness. Many patients find CPAP equipment difficult to use consistently, making an oral appliance a more practical option that delivers results they can actually sustain. Dr. Perez will help you understand which approach is appropriate based on your sleep study results.

Do I need a sleep study before getting an oral appliance?

Yes. A formal diagnosis from a sleep medicine physician is required before an oral appliance can be prescribed. The sleep study determines the type and severity of your sleep apnea, which directly guides the treatment recommendation. Our team coordinates the referral and remains involved throughout the process so your dental and medical care are aligned from the beginning.

Does insurance cover oral appliance therapy?

Many medical insurance plans provide coverage for oral appliance therapy when it has been prescribed for a diagnosed sleep disorder. Dental insurance plans typically treat this as a medical matter rather than a dental benefit. We recommend checking with your medical insurance provider and confirming whether your plan covers appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. Our front desk team is happy to assist you in understanding your options before your appointment.

What happens if sleep apnea goes untreated?

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious long-term health consequences. Ongoing oxygen deprivation during sleep places strain on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke over time. Daytime performance, mood, and cognitive function also suffer as the body fails to reach the restorative stages of sleep it needs. Addressing sleep apnea is not just about feeling more rested. For many patients, it is an important step toward protecting their overall health.

Start Your Sleep Apnea Evaluation at Longwood Dental Group

Longwood Dental Group has served patients in Brookline and greater Boston for over 40 years, building a reputation for thorough, patient-centered care across a wide range of dental and specialty services. Recognized as a Best of Boston dental practice, our team brings together accomplished clinicians, including faculty with ties to Harvard, who are committed to treating each patient as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms. Our ability to coordinate directly with sleep medicine physicians means your sleep apnea evaluation begins and ends in a practice that is fully invested in your outcome.

If you are ready to take the first step toward better sleep and better health, we encourage you to reach out to our team through our online contact form. We look forward to helping you find real relief.